Country Profile

Geography

The
Mediterranean island of Corsica is some 180 kilometres (110 miles) long and 75
kilometres (46 miles) wide. Corsica lies 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of
the French mainland and 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Italy.

For the
most part, the terrain in Corsica is mountainous. About two-thirds of it
consists of an ancient crystalline massif that divides the island a north-west
axis. It is often called ‘The Granite Island'. Corsica has a cluster of 20 peaks
exceeding 2,000 m / 6,500 ft. Its high point is at the summit of Monte Cinto
(2710m.) (8876ft.)

Much of the island is
covered with a scrubby underbrush, called maquis, that is composed of aromatic
shrubs, together with holm oak and cork oak. The flowers produce a fragrance
that carries far out to sea. Chestnut forests occur at higher elevations, while
the Corsican, or laricio pine dominates the higher elevations. Forest covers
about one-fifth of the island.

Time Zone

The time in Corsica is GMT +1 hour .

Language

The official language of Corsica is French. However, there is a Corsican
dialect, which the locals speak (which varies from the north to the south of
the island). Whilst English is widely understood in the main towns, it is not
so much in the mountains and we do recommend you try to learn some simple
French phrases and greetings as attempts to speak in the local language will
always be appreciated and is all part of the fun.

Climate

Corsica has a
Mediterranean climate, with a long summer season extending from May through to
October. The temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be
reasonably warm, ranging from 15°C / 59°F to 30°C / 86°F. It can be cool in the evenings at our
highest overnight stopping places. The weather is usually stable at this time
of year, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and
occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out.

Currency

The unit
of currency in Corsica is the Euro. For
up to date exchange rates visit: www.xe.com

You should take some Euros with you on your holiday to France. These are
readily available at most banks in the UK. If you run out of Euros, dollars and sterling
(cash or travellers cheques) can be exchanged once you are in Corsica, although
only in the larger town. Credit and debit cards can be used in the
larger towns and you will also be able to obtain currency at cash machines
(ATM's).

Visa Requirements

You will need a valid passport. Nationals of the EU, the USA, Canada,
New Zealand, and Australia do not require visas to visit France, Italy or
Switzerland as tourists for up to three months. Nationals of other countries
should check the visa requirement with the relevant embassy in their own
countries.

Vaccinations

You should attend
your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. No special vaccinations are
required for France. UK residents should obtain a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC) before travelling. The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years
and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip,
because of either illness or an accident. The card gives access to
state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis
as an 'insured' person living in the country you're visiting. Remember, this
might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS
in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care. You
can obtain an EHIC from the Department of Health by phone, online, or at the
post office.